Be of Good Cheer!

 090325 Meditational Bible Study from the Book of Acts 23 KJV

For Mithcah Bible Baptist Church – Bahrain

Online Morning Group Devotional Bible Study and Prayer Fellowship- 090425

“10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. 

11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.”

Lesson: Be of Good Cheer!

Acts 23:1-11 KJV
1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?
5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. 

11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.”


After the many struggles and tumultuous uproar from his fellowmen, Paul stand face to face with the high priest Ananias: who instructed the men beside him to smite him as he testified to them that he have lived a life with good conscience.
That while he testified to them about how he witnessed the goodness of GOD, by enabling him to see face to face from Heaven the Author and the very Proof of evidence, that there is indeed the resurrection and the life after death: JESUS CHRIST. The Messiah; who before His crucifixion have said He is, to Martha, the sister of Lazarus: His friend whom He called back to life after being burries four days. John “11:25KJV
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”

Many believe and many didn’t. And so arose a great contention while Paul is being tried in the presence of the high priest, that the chief captain ordered his soldier to take Paul by force, before he will be torn down to pieces.

The encouraging word of the LORD: “be of good cheer Paul; for as you have testified to me in the presence of your people, you also must testify about me in Rome.”
The way how Paul testified the LORD, might not be how we have been doing in our present time. But one thing is sure: not all will listen and believe; the majority rejected. But let us all be of good cheer! For almost all people have heard: JESUS CHRIST is our Redeemer. And He will strengthen more our faith, if we will share His plan of salvation to others.

May He will find us faithful in all our ways!


Acts 23:12-18 KJV
“12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.
15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.
16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.”

The Conspiracy:

The blood- thirsty belief system of the Jews made these forty zealous men to have themselves committed bound under course, and presented themselves together to the high priest to lie in wait; conspiring with them, that these elders shall pretentiously ask the centurion, for Paul to be brought again in their counsel for more questioning; While they, these forty men, will post themselves ready together: to kill Paul.
But the GOD who called Paul to His missionary field, His foreknowledge knew how to keep Paul from evil. He must go to Rome; and no plot of any kind to take Paul’s life, is able to supersedes GOD’s plan for His Gospel to be established.
These things we must be known and reminded:

·      GOD’s plan for us no matter what will be carry out.

·      GOD’s protection no matter what will covers us as we follow His direction.

·      GOD’s provision is already prepared the moment we commit ourselves to His works.

·      GOD’s promise of being with us throughout our journey is confirmedand sure; we just need to do our part in constantly consulting with Him in prayers.

Whenever we are afraid and uncertain, call to GOD in prayer.
Whatever we are going through, cast our cares upon GOD cause He cares.
Wherever GOD leads us, take charge to be prepared and always ready to obey, for in every way He leads there are His bountiful grace that will sustains.

Let the works of The LORD be not hinders; and let it be known to all, that there is power in GOD’s words that shields GOD’s called servants from evil.


Acts 23:19-22 KJV
“19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?
20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.
22 So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.”

My mind conceived this proverb: 
“A secret whisper by the righteous is life, but the sweet words carry death of them who walk in the dark. “

Thus, the life of Paul was saved by his nephew, who did not fear nor hesitated to see the chief captain after hearing the plan of those blood- thirsty people, eagerly seeking to find ways on how to kill Paul.

Trust and Obey: this song relate this event in Paul’s life:
When we walk with the LORD, in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way…
There is GOD’s sheltering hand that will protect us from harm; if our heart’s desire is to serve Him with all our heart, body, soul and mind.

Let all your troubles be taken care of by the GOD whose hand is able to keep everything under control.

Ø Take GOD’s words as the absolute truth.

Ø Trust His will and obey the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

Ø Tell everything to JESUS; all your cares, fears and woes.

 

He is faithful to turn your anxieties, fears and egos into a more profound blessings that overflows!
 

Acts 23:23-35 KJV
“23 And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cæsarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
25 And he wrote a letter after this manner:
26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:
29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. 30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.
31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
33 Who, when they came to Cæsarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;
35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.”

Two hundred seventy (270) soldiers all in all, with seventy (70) horsemen to save the life of Paul. This was how the hand of The LORD moves. To keep safe and protect His chosen man whose case is to speak, what GOD said for the Gentile people to be saved.

Ever since sin entered, obedience to GOD’s words causes a lot of distress. For the natural human’s hearts, because of sin, are full of hatred; blindly follow the dictate of the law, seeking always to kill the speaker of truth in their madness.
Selfishness, jealousy and self-righteousness drives them to do injustice. Not counting the goodness that has been done, all they want is to fulfill the evil desire which cannot be satisfied until blood is shed by their hands.

This is the depravity of mankind. We could not bring ourselves to righteousness GOD required.
The very reason why GOD sent JESUS CHRIST: His Only Son. To save us from the punishment of sin; quicken our spirit, so that His love reigns within our heart, soul and mind.

JESUS saves. As how Paul stands to speak, for the truth must be heard. So shall we all who understand the redemption we received must also proclaim what JESUS did. 

All must know and believe: no one or nothing in this world could ever make it complete. Only in accepting the gift of love in JESUS CHRIST we can achieve. To become clean in our thoughts, in words and in deed.

As He said in John 14:6 KJV: I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 
Let the LORD of life JESUS CHRIST, who freed us, free also all our love ones: family, relatives, friends and acquaintances from sin and guilt, through our taking heed of GOD’s commandment of zealously, fervently, but humbly and gently sharing the gift of salvation to others. 

This is the only way we will be able to always be of good cheer, while we are encountering adversities in our journey of our Christianity. 

Good morning!

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Chosen

 082625 Meditational Bible Study Acts Chapter 22 KJV

For Mithcah Bible Baptist Church _Bahrain 

Morning Online Group Devotional Bible Study and Prayer Fellowship August 27, 2025

 

“11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.”

 

Topic: Chosen

To get the full view of this chapter 22, we need to back read from Acts 21:37-40 KJV
“ 37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers? 39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.
40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,”
Acts 22:1-5 KJV
“1 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.
2 (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)
3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.”

From here was written, Paul asked from the chief captain permission to speak; and so, he begun to testify his encounter with JESUS, and the things he must do, according to what He said.  

His testimony is a matter of fact that there has been complete turning point from his life, which the conventional people could not understand. 

Pondering upon this chapter, there are facts we may take note, like of the following: 

 

1.     The Certainty of who he has been- who He was before, is a part of the story which made him who he is in the present. He is Saul- a young ruler, one among the Pharisees; zealous about the law. But that Does not matter anymore to him, never seeking honor for who he was before, but fervent in his pursuit to let others know CHRIST JESUS, no matter what people may think, say or do.
Paul’s life has been an open book, written for all believers to understand that, as He was chosen and called to be an apostle of CHRIST, he has a certainly exceptional testimony of which he boldly and courageously have spoken, written and have made sure, people listen to hear.
The same way, we, who have decided to follow the True CHRIST of the King James Bible, our past is a part of our life’s journey, that we should not hide like of a so dearly, hidden treasure we possessed; that we don’t want others to know; too precious that we think, if others know learn about it, our identity will be stolen and we will lost our self-esteem.
Life, no matter what, should be progressive, that we can’t remain living in the past; otherwise we will be stack up.
All things of the past should be just a part of our story; written, whether it has been the cause of failure from the many of our choices or it happened out of our control. No matter how we keep or hide them, it will have its own way to be revealed.
But if we are already in CHRIST, particularly called to be one among His servants, we are not so concern too much about our past. For it is prevalent; the more others know who we have been and what CHRIST did for us to become better as who we are in the present, the more JESUS CHRIST’s Name will be glorified; and through our humble submission and constant prayers, by our testimony people will have the chance to ponder also about their troubled life’s situation; search for the way to achieve peace, and eventually yield to CHRIST, decide for themselves to know Him better, draw to Him closer. This will only happen if we give CHRIST preeminence more than ourselves.

Consider how Paul through CHRIST, face life’s challenges; for our faith also to be strengthen; certainly living for Christ JESUS The Redeemer.

Acts 22:6-16 KJV
“6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

2.    The Conversion of who he has become- Saul’s dramatic transformation to become Paul the called to be an Apostle, is a phenomenal event that could not be explain by natural human’s mind.
For it is a very personal encounter with the risen CHRIST JESUS the LORD and Savior, who have gone to heaven; witnessed by those some five hundred believers, who were present, when, after He gave His great commission to His disciples, particularly to His apostles, ascended up to heaven until He was covered by the clouds and they have not seen Him anymore in His resurrected human body form. 
So exceptional, that Saul/Paul have not personally seen The LORD’s appearance; but a shining great light which caused the partially-loss of his eyesight, with The LORD’s clearly thundering yet gentle voice asked him  and conversed with him  in this manner:
“6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.”

Saul’s remarkable transformation is so special, just as his personal calling to carry out the gospel to us, whom are belong to the Gentile race.
It inspires us to reflect on our personal encounter with The LORD which led to our conversion after we accepted, believed, called and have committed our lives to serve JESUS CHRIST our Loving Savior.
The story of our past became significant for our transformation. What happened to us in the past, before our conversion, might have been hard to testify; for there are doubts and fears that we will be misunderstood or misjudge. But after we accepted Christ, believed and have learned His words, casting all our concerns to Him and call on His Name in prayers, devout time to dig deeper in repeatedly reading His words, it is now easy for us, just like Paul, to testify what GOD has done for us;  because we are freely living with confidence and assurance within CHRIST compassionate love.
Thus, we keep on testifying, so that our family, relatives, friends, and acquaintances be informed that JESUS CHRIST Saves. And His grace is still enough to all who come to Him, call upon His Name, and cleave unto Him in faith.
The prayer of repentance and reliant only to JESUS CHRIST and His words secures eternity for your soul.
May we keep on praying for our love ones that they will decide now and accept JESUS CHRIST as their LORD and personal Savior. 

Acts 22:17-21 KJV
“17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:
20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.”

3.    The Coverture Paul had from GOD after his conversion- The LORD’s personal guidance to Paul ushered him to escape from the violence of his detractors; and though he must need to go through a far more critical journey of his apostleship. He knew and was informed by the HOLY SPIRIT as many times testified about it as well as how he called himself: “an apostle born out of due time” for this very reason he wrote in his epistle: 1 Corinthians 15:8-10 KJV - “8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
He has been what he had become; the great works which he “labored more abundantly” is because of the guiding and guarding grace of GOD which is in him.
it implies to us this thought: the more spectacular the testimony of the called servants or ministers of GOD, the greater works with sufferings (labouring)GOD entrusted them.  Testing, trials and temptations are parts of all called servants’ training. For from those circumstances,  contradictions, and cause of pains are our temperance grow; those were allowed to happen, to strengthen our faith; placing our full reliant to Him who called us to carry the light of the GOSPEL.
This is also the fact of our Christian life: The guiding love of GOD and our LORD JESUS CHRIST, covert us from the corruption of this world normalized practice.

May we all be covered with GOD’s love through the blood of JESUS CHRIST.

Acts 22:22-30 KJV
“ 22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.
23 And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,
24 The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.
25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.
27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.
28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.
29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.”

4.    The Commission of Paul by GOD is a matter of fact, was The LORD’s anointing from his mother’s womb. He was carefully wrought and tempered; having a determined character, growing up as a dedicated student, and had become a devoted follower of the law of Moses for the love of the GOD of Israel. He can be likened to Moses; But in the contrary, Moses was raised cavalier in the palace, within the Egyptian’s royal culture; fled for his love for the Hebrews, and was called to lead Israel out of the Egyptian slavery. While Saul who was called to be the Apostle Paul to the Gentiles, was born a Roman with deep Hebrew culture inclination; study at the feet of Gamaliel. Although Gamaliel was not a philosopher in the typical Greek sense, but he is an influential and renowned Jewish scholar, Rabbi, and member of the Sanhedrin (Jewish high court) in the 1st century CE. From him Paul also has become a ruler and among the Pharisees at his younger age. Chosen,Called and Commissioned by GOD for The LORD’s great work with great sufferings.

A patterned we observed from both of this prominent biblical character: Moses of old testament, and Paul of the new testament, is something we may reflects our lives as among the called servants of CHRIST. The certainty of our conversion is an exceptional testimony that, we were covert during our past tempering for the great commission the LORD CHRIST JESUS place us in right now.

AS for my testimony, It was never an easy life. Mine was tempered by trauma, tears and tragedy from family, relationship and even in my very ways and will to survive. Thus, it battered my body mind and soul; yet unaware is the courage raising in me, the will to fight for a more profound and powerful life; facing the challenges of life with determination to live, dedication to learn and my devotion to love GOD above all else, after I knew He loves me more than I do; hence, put me to where I  am today.
Because like Paul, I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded, that He is able, to keep that which I committed, unto Him against that day.
As Apostle Paul has written in  2 Timothy 1:12-13 KJV - 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus

Hardships and heartaches always come after we commit ourselves in the service to Christ’s cause; nevertheless, it brings tremendous joy and peace knowing that our commissioning from Jesus Christ our LORD yield deliverance for the many souls who are hopeless and lost. Not only so, but the triumph from the trials and the testimonies from the testing makes us even stronger in facing troubles. 

As I am pondering upon many thoughts about Paul’s life, these verses remind me, keep me up and regain my strength in time I felt so disappointed and discourage: 

 Isaiah 40:31 KJV “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Hebrews 12:1,2 KJV Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

I hope these will also encourage you to keep on showing up as we keep on sharing, serving and singing the goodness and greatness of our LORD and Savior JESUS CHRIST.

May the life of Apostle Paul also be an encouragement to us, to cleave the more and hold fast the form of sound words of our Savior JESUS CHRIST our LORD.

Have a pleasant day to all!

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The Will of The LORD Be Done

 081825 Devotional Bible Study Lesson from the Book of Acts 21 KJV

For Mithcah Bible Baptist Church – Bahrain

Online Morning Devotional Bible Study and Group Prayer Fellowship August 19, 2025

 

“10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judæa a certain prophet, named Agabus.
11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord

14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.

Lesson: The Will of The LORD Be Done

 

 

Acts 21:1-13 KJV
“And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:
2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth. 3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. 4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.
7 And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judæa a certain prophet, named Agabus.
11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

The sailings were not easy, but they must go; and in between that journey, there were prophesies. And they abode with the Evangelist Philip, who baptized the Eunoch on his way back home to Ethiopia, Philip the evangelist, one among the seven chosen men to serve, whom here was recorded: he has four virgin prophesying daughters.
Where they meet a certain prophet Agabus, who prophesied the fate that will happen to Paul in Jerusalem from the hand of the Jews; of which, within the foreknowledge of Paul, was he calmly confirmed to them and declared, that it was so. Not only he will be bound but he is about to be sentence there to be killed. And as their heart were broken and in tears, forbid him not to go. But surprisingly Paul would not tarry; he must face what the LORD already told him what he would and should do.

As among the called servant of The LORD, there are things that must happen in our lives in the future, of which The LORD show us in a dream, in premonition or simply through the preaching of His words; from which after we heard, gives us the feelings of uneasiness and unusual, deeper concern. Sometimes it causes us restlessness and troubles our thoughts, that we became fearful; but the comforting peace of GOD helps us to get through, and amazingly in between tears and fears, with calmness of mind we carry on all along.

Life in CHRIST is full of surprises and challenges. What a servant must have within, is the willingness to hearken and wholehearted submission to obey.
There is peace in the midst of trouble, and there is joy in simply obeying GOD’s blessed will.

An obedient and fully surrendered servant understood what this message really means.
And for the unaware, you will never experience GOD’s amazing grace unless you give yourself to JESUS CHRIST as the LORD of your life and submit yourself to His blessed will.
Try Him, and experience an extraordinary life He has prepared for His every believers.

Acts 21:14-19 KJV
“14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.
16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Cæsarea, and brought with them one Mnasonof Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodg e.
17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry”

The will of The LORD be done.

It was the fully surrendered life of Paul to the LORD’s direction that made his ministerial journey abound for the benefits of others; conveying to us from this message the essence of obedience,  to make the most of our time and testimony.
That no matter what, whether it be in chaos or in convenience, if we know our purpose, and that we trust GOD’s workings and timing, nothing will be in vain.
We just have to simply obey the LORD’s blessed will.


Acts 21:20-30 KJV
“20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;
24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,
28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.”

And Paul arrived in Jerusalem; testified to the congregation of the elders the greatness of the works of GOD through him, in saving souls, both to the Greek and the Jews. The elders were immensely moved with thanksgiving,  and in glorifying The LORD, they instructed Paul what he must do; which Paul never had issue in obeying what was told of the elders for him to do.

But the elders’ commending words for his works, did not suffice the intense hatred of some Jews who were moved with jealousy; whom from the beginning of Paul’s ministerial journey have been disputing him about their accusation against Paul, of what they understood was, Paul had then been disregarding the law of Moses; as Paul teach zealously about the redeeming grace of GOD.   
That he suffered both physical and emotional  hurts inflicted to him, as they with enrage, attacked Paul; beating him and harshly pushing him out of the temple.

This implied to us all, who were called to serve, that our good deeds in CHRIST’s service, will not always be accepted by the majority; for some, who will be moved with envy or jealousy, will cause us harm, physically, emotionally and even mentally.

Nevertheless, as  the words itself declared thatPaul might have been hurt;  the comforting presence of the HOLY SPIRIT strengthen his heart. 

So we also, as we know and have the understanding that we were called and anointed to serve, we must always be reliant to, and must recognize the comforting presence of The HOLY SPIRIT; for His gentle nudging will keep our hearts and mind wholly settled in the faith of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, even in the time of crisis, difficulties and adversities.
It is what Paul has written in Philippians 4:4-7 KJV 

“4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

May the HOLY SPIRIT’s moving be our guide as we strive to serve our Loving GOD; our Mighty LORD and Savior JESUS CHRIST.


Acts 21:31-40 KJV
“31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.
33 Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.
34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. 35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people. 

36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.
37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers? 39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.
40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,”

Paul was about to be killed by the angry Jews by beatings; when salvation came through the Roman Centurion, who decided that he should be brought to the palace bounded: thus, saved him from crowd’s riotous beatings, inquired from him to investigate as well, the cause of that tumultuous uproar.
Yet Paul, still in his sound mind seek permission from the chief captain to speak and give light to the reason of his zealousness in teaching the Gospel of the grace of GOD.

Thoughts we must learn from this chapter:

• The dreadful atrocities Paul suffered from the hand of his persecutors, was not from his wrong doings, but for the sake of the spreading of the Gospel of The LORD JESUS.

• The depraved attacking of the Jews to Paulsignifies the spiritually deprived conditionof mankind; without natural affection but ever thirsty of the blood of the righteous.

• The delivering action of the hand of GOD, not only saved Paul but sustained his weakened body; that he had been able to still speak calmly and precisely; silenced even the chaotic crowd’s uproar.     

• The destructive attempt of the enemy of the gospel to stop the spreading of GOD’s words has been severe before, that now in our present time, it’s the familiarity, fogginess and fallibility of the word of GOD, the devil is trying to use by making counterfeit translations and raising false teachers,  Paul named as wolves; to confuse and corrupt the mind of the people, so that they will take GOD’s warnings for granted, even now majority are; setting it aside as if it is of no importance; as if it is not a matter of life and death’s ultimate purpose.

 

Be aware! All of the enemy’s method were already been used: it’s now the availability of all information flooding all over social medias and means to captivate human’s attention, so that everyone will be so busy for every flagrantly interesting information, that no one will have time to even listen to the preaching of sound words.

 

Let the will of The LORD be done throughout the world! 

May we be watchful; that while we witness what is going on around, we are all confidently prepared to share GOD’s words, as well as to face whatever comes along; be it the source of our dcausing us discomfort. 

Let GOD’s still small voice through His HOLY SPIRIT be heard in our solitude that we all, will take heed to meditate the instruction of JESUS CHRIST our LORD.

Good morning  

 

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